Assistant says Maradona has 3 job offers

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Diego Maradona's assistant says the former Argentina coach has job offers from two clubs in Brazil and a national team in Europe.

Alejandro Mancuso, a member of Maradona's coaching staff with the national team, gave no details of the offers in a television interview and offered no timeframe.

Maradona's reign as Argentina's national team coach ended last month, three weeks after the team was knocked out of the World Cup quarterfinals in a 4-0 loss to Germany.

"If the offers have popped up, it's because we did something well," Mancuso said.

Mancusco was one of the assistants the Argentine federation asked Maradona to replace, a condition for the famous No. 10 to have his contract renewed.

Maradona refused to fire his long-time friend, which precipitated his departure.

Argentina youth coach Sergio Batista has taken over as interim coach and is among a handful of candidates rumored to be in the running for the position, including Alejandro Sabella, Carlos Bianchi, Diego Simeone and Claudio Borghi. Some have even speculated Maradona might return.